Decide first
Repair or replace?
A simple rule, the expected lifespan of each appliance, and the local rebates that tip the balance. Five minutes here can save you a service call.
Using the rule
Get the repair quote, then price a comparable new appliance including delivery, installation and haul-away. If the repair is under half that total, repairing usually wins. If it is over half, replacement usually wins.
Age matters too. A repair that is 40 percent of a new machine’s price is a good deal on a four-year-old washer and a poor one on a twelve-year-old washer that is likely to need something else soon. The table on the right gives typical lifespans to judge by.
Repairs that are almost always worth it
Refrigerator fans, defrost heaters and relays. Washer drain pumps, lid switches and door locks. Dryer belts, rollers, thermal fuses and heating elements. Oven igniters and bake elements. Dishwasher inlet valves and door latches. These are inexpensive parts on otherwise healthy machines.
Repairs that often are not
A refrigerator compressor or sealed-system leak on an older unit (HomeGuide puts compressor replacement at $700 to $1,250). Front-load washer bearings, which on many models means replacing the outer tub. Control boards on appliances near the end of their life. A countertop microwave that runs but will not heat.
Energy: the hidden cost of keeping an old fridge
Refrigerators run around the clock, so an old one keeps costing money even when it works. ENERGY STAR estimates that a refrigerator over 15 years old could be costing about $95 a year more to run, and that certified models are about 9 percent more efficient than the federal minimum standard (ENERGY STAR).
That does not make every old fridge worth replacing. A $250 fan repair on a 16-year-old refrigerator is still cheaper than a new one for several years. But when the repair is large, the energy difference strengthens the case for replacing.
2026 ComEd rebates on new appliances
If you replace, these ComEd rebates apply to new ENERGY STAR models bought in Illinois during 2026. Apply within 60 days of purchase. Nicor Gas does not offer appliance rebates.
| Appliance | ComEd rebate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes washer | $40 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Electric dryer | $40 | Over 4.4 cu ft; gas dryers do not qualify |
| Heat-pump dryer | $200 | 4.4 cu ft or larger |
| All-in-one washer and electric dryer | $250 | |
| All-in-one washer and heat-pump dryer | $350 | |
| Induction cooktop or range | $100 | |
| Refrigerator | None | Not on the 2026 form |
Source: ComEd 2026 appliance rebate application. One washer or dryer-type product per account per year. Income-qualified customers may get higher amounts. Purchase by December 31, 2026.
Getting rid of the old one
ComEd offers free pickup of working refrigerators and freezers (10 to 30 cubic feet, up to two units) for residential customers, and has paid an incentive per unit; check ComEd’s recycling page for the current amount.
Village rules differ. In Evergreen Park, the village hauler takes one appliance a week free. In Oak Lawn, Flood Brothers charges $20 per appliance, and refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed. Town pages list the local rules where we could confirm them: Evergreen Park, La Grange, Alsip, Willowbrook.
Repair or replace: common questions
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old washer?
Should I repair or replace a refrigerator that is not cooling?
Does ComEd pay me to recycle my old refrigerator?
Are there rebates on new appliances in the Chicago area?
Free to call
Need a diagnosis to decide?
A technician can tell you what failed and what it costs. Then you can run the numbers.